Ronnie Screwvala: Movies, UpGrad, and Shark Tank

Ronnie Screwvala is a famous Indian entrepreneur who has built a strong reputation through successful ventures in media, education, and investments.

He began his career by founding UTV, a leading media company in India. Under his leadership, UTV produced many hit movies and TV shows. Later, he co-founded upGrad, an online platform aimed at making quality education more accessible.

Ronnie also runs a venture capital firm, Unilazer Ventures. Recently, he appeared on the TV show Shark Tank India, where he invested in young startups and guided budding entrepreneurs.

In addition to business, Ronnie enjoys writing. In his book Dream with Your Eyes Open, he shares his journey and encourages others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

Early Life and Education

Ronnie was born and raised in Mumbai in a Parsi family. He studied at the Cathedral and John Connon School. From a young age, he had a passion for theater and acted in plays with well-known figures like Pearl and Alyque Padamsee.

After school, Ronnie attended Sydenham College in Mumbai, where he earned a degree in commerce. During this time, he met his wife, Zarina Mehta, while working in theater. Although his father wanted him to become a Chartered Accountant, Ronnie was more drawn to business.

His first entrepreneurial venture began after a trip to England, where he visited a hairbrush factory. Inspired, he started a toothbrush business in India called Lazer Brushes, which grew to become one of the largest suppliers for brands like Colgate.

In the 1980s, Ronnie also started a cable TV company, offering a video channel that played movies when Doordarshan was the only other TV option in India. This marked the start of his journey into the media world.